The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Four Reasons to Slow Down... and Stop



         This was what the sky looked one early morning. I got out of my car and instead of heading into my school building, I looked in a different direction... and saw this sunrise. (I know my photography skills are laughable but it was a gorgeous sky.) The beautiful colors reminded me of one reason to stop occasionally:

You might miss something if you insist on always charging forward. The middle school boys had a big-deal basketball game on Saturday, part of a 52nd annual tournament my school hosts. Our team was behind by 20 points. They were younger and smaller than the other team and our basket had a lid on it.

I stepped out of the gym and into the hall to talk to a few parents. While I was gone, the game ended, and the boys had closed the gap to the point they were only 6 points behind. I'd missed it! (They have their second game tonight, and you can be sure I won't leave the gym for a single minute--not until the final buzzer sounds.)

You won't get to hear a story--it'll be gone forever. Yesterday I was in a bit of a rush to get to a meeting by 4. A student wanted to talk after school. That was cool--I still had plenty of time. But when I walked out, I saw a family that lives close to the school. They were out on their porch. I walked up their steps, meaning to just chat for a minute, and ended up talking for almost thirty minutes. In that short time, they asked, "What's the story behind your name?" (and I told them), they shared how mental illness has touched their family, I shared how it's touched mine... and if I hadn't stopped by, I would have missed out on feeling that sense of kinship.

You won't laugh as much. Savoring a joke, or responding with humor instead of frustration--that usually takes a bit more time. Definitely, however, the extra time is worth it.

Your belly won't get rubbed as much. Whoops. This one, I learned from Lizzie. Lizzie is a tripod who lives in my school's neighborhood. Usually she's on a walk when I'm getting out of my car, and I get to pet her. Lizzie knows what's important. As her mom is trying to coax her into continuing the walk, Lizzie knows it's more important to flop down into the grass and roll over so I can rub her tummy. Sometimes she decides to just lie down on the ground for a while and feel the breeze. Wouldn't life be more pleasant if we all lived life more like Lizzie?

And if you want to hear about the writing things I've learned from a television show I love, go here

And how about you? What have you seen or enjoyed lately, that you would have missed out on if you'd rushed by it?






12 comments:

  1. You are so right and we just can't make people see it...the what is really important and what is really soothing in this world. Last week on the 80 degree day we forced ourselves out to a country ride. I woke up feeling poorly but pushed on. Had to make two stops out of town due to tummy upset. Still I said drive on. We went to an area about 40 miles north that is gorgeous farm ground. Rolling, dipping, and also prairie flat. Spiritually soothing....even the cattle of which there were many seemed contented on this day.

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    1. Claudia--I'm sorry you didn't feel 100% but I AM glad you pushed on so you could have that wonderful moment. Your comment almost sounds like it could result in a poem, a story or an essay on what's truly important...

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  2. I am enjoying that photograph. Somehow, I was left out of the loop. Nobody told me that the Earth is orbiting three suns now. It's almost as shocking as that time a couple years ago when I learned that ENGLAND IS AN ISLAND!

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    Replies
    1. Val--No there are 4 suns, not three. I am the 4th, 'cause everything revolves around me. ;)

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  3. You're so right, Sioux, and for me it's pretty much always the same...I don't like going out in the evenings. I just want to cocoon at home. :-) But lately, I've been saying yes instead of no and I had a great time, enjoying Mexican food and friends at one of my favorite restaurants.

    Here's to slowing down long enough to stop and smell the jalapenos! :-)

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    1. Cathy--Most of the time, "yes" is always better than "no." I hope you are able to slow down enough to smell the jalopenos and taste the margaritas. :)

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  4. Yes. You're right. We...I...need to slow down and pay attention. It's easy to get caught up, but the times I've taken to do something unexpected, I've never been sorry.

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    1. Lisa--You added the element of spontaneity, which I completely forgot. Thanks. The unexpected can bring great rewards.

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  5. Moments of serendipity. I'm trying to slow down (at least a little) to enjoy them.

    Pat
    www.patwahler.com

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    Replies
    1. Pat--You're right. If you don't slow down, you might miss something.

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